Warawut leads a brainstorming session with government and private sectors of the five southern border provinces to prepare proposals for the Prime Minister's workshop today, ahead of the mobile Cabinet meeting in Songkhla, focusing on Quick Win policies for immediate impact.
31 Aug 2026 GMT+7 Warawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Industry, revealed after chairing the first subgroup workshop on economic matters before the Cabinet meeting at Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, Songkhla campus, that the government convened the meeting to brainstorm solutions and develop economic plans for the area. The five southern provinces (Songkhla, Satun, Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat) collaborated with various economic agencies such as the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), local government offices, and private sector representatives including chambers of commerce and industry councils from the five southern border provinces. The proposals collected will be submitted to the workshop chaired today by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and will be formally presented at the mobile Cabinet meeting tomorrow (1 Sep).
Warawut said the proposals were diverse, covering economic and financial aspects, loan requests, waterway dredging, issues with border crossing delays and lack of convenience, prolonged disaster relief, and security concerns related to counterterrorism. He thanked the officials attending for listening to local problems and discussing feasible approaches with locals. Sometimes the community's needs and practical realities differ, so it is important to assess whether proposed measures can truly be implemented on site. Regarding facilitation of business operations in the area, this can be expedited immediately.
“I greatly appreciate all the proposals because without hearing these issues directly from locals, central authorities might remain unaware. I am confident many of the suggestions align with the Prime Minister's policy focus on Quick Wins that can be implemented immediately to promptly address the people's problems. Many proposals from the private sector match the Prime Minister's guidelines. The economic-related suggestions will be submitted to the NESDC secretary to present to the Prime Minister.”
When asked if unrest in the area would affect economic problem-solving, Warawut responded that the area has great economic potential. He is confident in its natural resources and people. The Prime Minister's policy prioritizes economic security. If the economy in the five southern border provinces becomes more stable, with better access to funding and improved business operations, it is believed that unrest and violence will gradually decrease.